Honoring Joannès Rochut

By Douglas Yeo

Trombonists around the world are well acquainted with the life and work of Joannès Rochut. Since 1928, we have relied on his three volumes of “Melodious Etudes for Trombone,” adapted from the vocalises of Marco Bordogni, as important material for development of legato and expressive styles. In January 2025, the ITAJournal published its largest issue to date, which included my 70-page article, “More Than Bordogni: The Life, Work, and Influence of Joannès Rochut.” In the course of my research, I connected with Rochut’s great-granddaughter, Julie Rochut. From her home in Paris, Julie generously shared family photographs and information—much of it gleaned from conversations with her father, Bernard, and her uncle, Jean-Jacques—that greatly enriched my work.

In August 2025, my wife, Patricia, and I traveled to Paris to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. The trip gave me the chance to meet Julie in person and thank her for her invaluable help. As our conversations unfolded, we agreed to gather at the final resting place of Joannès and his wife, Louise, in Bagneux Cemetery, just south of Paris. Benny Sluchin—my friend and colleague and fellow recipient of the ITA’s 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award—had previously visited the cemetery, photographing Rochut’s grave for my article. Benny joined Patricia and me on our visit, where we were welcomed by several members of the Rochut family: Bernard Rochut (grandson of Joannès), Julie and her sister Sophie (great-granddaughters), and Sophie’s children, Inès and Arthur Allouti-Rochut (great-great-grandchildren).

Ahead of our trip, I commissioned a commemorative plaque for Rochut’s grave to honor his enduring influence. I installed on behalf of the ITA and the Boston Symphony Orchestra; the marker bears the following text:

Joannès Rochut
1881–1952
The International Trombone Association and
Boston Symphony Orchestra honor Joannès Rochut

For his lasting contributions to musical art.
L’Association Internationale du Trombone et
l’Orchestre Symphonique de Boston rendent hommage à Joannès Rochut
Pour ses contributions durables à l’art musical.

Principal Trombonist, Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1925–1930
Arranger, “Melodious Etudes for Trombone,” 1928
Recipient, ITA Legacy Circle Award, 2021

At the gravesite, Bernard Rochut brought forth several photographs of Joannès, a photograph of a valve trombone Rochut had owned, and an eight-page hand-written letter Rochut sent in 1930 to his son, Robert, just before Joannès concluded his tenure with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The family also holds additional music manuscripts in Rochut’s hand which they plan to share with me for possible future publication. These materials will form the basis of a forthcoming update to my earlier article.

As we look ahead to the 150th anniversary of Rochut’s birth in 2031, it is especially meaningful to see his great-great-grandchildren continuing in his path: Arthur (percussion) and Inès (trombone) are members of the Paris Opera’s first youth orchestra, Apprentissage de l’orchestre. Their love of music reminds us that Rochut’s legacy is not only preserved in print and performance but is also alive in the next generation of musicians who carry his name—and his influence—into the future.